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Silent Language Veils Schemes of Ball Teams Signal System Is Used on Offense and Defense By “Rube” Marquard. IN any game or competition where more than one person is involved on each side harmony will prove one of the principal points of strength. ,The college crew pulls together on its stroke, so that every ounce of power may be put to the very best advan tage. So with a baseball nine. All must "pul!” together, which involves a lot more than appears on the surface. Every man must be not only willing to bear his personal share of the work but eager, as well, to lend every pos sible ‘assistance to his fellow players. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. A baseball team may be stronger than its weakest player, but not unless the inferior athlete is given the support and co-operation of that superior skill about him. A span of light, spirited horses can accom plish more in one day than two bulky teams in a day and a half. A "bush league” team, welded together In common interest and single purpose, will outplay a galaxy of the greatest major league stars working only for individual aims. It is simply a matter united. The successful manager maintains perfect working harmony among his charges. The individual pales into' insignificance before the cause. Petty spites and prejudices that often crop out among players of the best known teams must all be laid aside when the athletes are in uniform. Few Know Signal System. Because of the fact that it is abso lutely necessary to have thorough un derstanding on plans of attack and defense, as well as to hide the same from the opposing side, it has been found necessary to employ a secret, silent language for baseball purposes. Fandom believes Itself reasonably familiar with the "signal” system of baseball. Yet very few outside the profession have more than a hazy idea of what it implies. I think a great deal of charm would be added if the spectator knew what was being attempted In every case. How often the unsophisticated judge plays wrongly. "What kind of baseball is that, you bonehead,” they rave, mistaking a hit and run play for an attempted steal The poor catcher is roasted for pegging to center field when it is the fault of the second baseman or short stop in ''muffing” the sign to cover. The pitcher is execrated for an "al leged" wild pitch when probably the catcher has ‘‘crossed’* him on signals. There would be less misplaced criti cism if it were possible for the crowd to be in on the "inside stuff.” That, of course, is impossible, sos a signal system has to be so mysterious as to fool an opposing team well versed in the at of the sign language. It wouldn't go very far to doing this if it didn't fool the fans. There is nothing terribly compli cated in major league baseball signals. Os course a great deal of responsibil ity for .tin is proper application rests with the hatte-y. The signals are divided into two gene al classes —de- fensive and offensive. The pitcher and catcher are most personally con cerned in the defensive signs. Catcher Must Direct Play. The catcher shoulder- the gravest responsibility on the team Then his side is on the defensive. He not only supports the pitcher, but the entire cast as well. He has the field of play laid out right before him and he has to watch that entire field for himself, and for the pitcher, too. If three men are on base. say. the catcher has to watch every base, so that if a fielder can -neak in behind some one napping a throw may be made in time to catch him off his guard. We’ll talk first about the battery signals, tin them depends the de fensive strength of a team. They mask battery efficiency and at the same time coach the supporting cast in proper defensive formation. For instance, I am pitching to a left-handed battery. If I throw my fast ball to him he will naturally hit late at it. Consequently, if it goes to fair territory, it will go to the left field side. Now every one knows that the general tendency of a left-handed hit ter is to "pull” the ball into right field. Consequently, to cross this fellow we give him the "smoke" bally in the pinch. If we give him something he likes and trust m luck when nothing is at stake the fielders till know what the pitch will be and they plant them seves accordingly. It is as natural for a right-handed hitter to hit toward left field and for a left-handed hitter to hit toward right field as it is for a duck to take to the water. There are some few notable excep tions, of course. Hans Wagner, a right-handed swatter, is as likely to pull it to left. Cobb, a left-handed J. J. Brown has adopted The Albany Heranl’s slogan “Hog, hominy and hay,’’ as one of his planks in his race for commissioner of agri culture; $2.50 Chattanooga and return via Southern Rail way, Saturday, August 24. • Tickets on sale for 3 p. m. and 5:10 p. m. trains. Good to return from Chattanooga any train following date of sale or morning trains leav ing Chattanooga Monday, August 26. SOUTHERN RAILWAY. hitter, can place his hits on most any sort of delivery. Knowing the general laws of hitting ethics the fielders station themselves accordingly. Every man <m the team knows just what sort of ball is going to be served the batsman. When the battery agrees one of the infielders down around second catches the sign from the backstop. He flashes it to the rest of the infield and to the out field. Sometimes you will see the in field or outfield switch suddenly after the pitcher assumes a pitching po sition. It is because such a pitch is forthcoming that if the player con nects the ball is almost bound to travel in a certain direction. In other words, the pitcher is playing for a batter's weakness. The pitcher and catcher mpst have absolute confidence in one another. Each depends upon the other like a building on its foundation. The catch er, having the play always before his eyes, must keep the pitcher posted as to the situations of base runners. If the catcher thinks a runner ha<= strayed too far from his base he signals the pitcher. The particular baseman guard ing the terri.ory involved must get that sign at the same time. He rushes to ward the bag; the pitcher, after a cer tain specified wait—while he counts three, for instance—whips the ball blindly to that cushion. If all three— catcher, pitcher and baseman —have calculated to a fine mathematical pre cision, the base runner may- be caught napping. If any one falls down a most damaging error is likely to result. Pitcher at Fault Sometimes. I’nless one fully appreciates the play contemplated, it is impossible to fix re sponsibility of many a "bone.” The backstop always is charged with bases stolen by rival clubs, when maybe half the time it is the pitcher’s fault in not holding the men to their stations. The greatest catcher in the world can not stop a fast man who gets a good start on a slow delivery. Directly upon the cunning of signals depends in a great measure the suc cess of "inside” baseball. I’ll illustrate with a few examples. A fast man is on third base with one or none out and one run needed badly. A scientific hitter is up. Naturally, the infield is drawn in for a play- at the plate. The batter takes a swing at the ball as if trying for a long fly. That “Moriarity” may he only a ruse to catch the infleld napping. Perhaps the bat ter intentionally missed his swing with the idea of attempting the "squeeze” play on the next pitch. And he may get away with it, too. The hit and run play is one that de pends for success upon the clever exe cution of some fixed idea. In this play the runner starts with the pitch and the batter is supposed to hit through the infield. When the runner starts one of the guardians of second base natur ally races over to take the throw from the catcher. The batter's plan is to hit through the place where that base guardian should be. It's simple enough if the battery guesses out the hit and run properly. All that is necessary then is a pitch out that the batter can not possibly molest, and the runner is flagged. But on the other hand, if it proves a bluff and the runner does not really go, a pitch-out puts the hoxman in a bad way. The real good catchers are the ones that do not ask for too many- pitch- “If Ifs at Hartman's, It’s Correct" Men’s $5, $4 and $3.50 Oxford: Choice $2,451 A final dean-up of all broken sizes—ls your size is among them you’ll secure the great est bargain of the season. Tans. Gun Metal, Patent Leather and Vici, all new stvles. Choice $2.45. Other Oxford Reductions $6.00 Oxfords now $4.35 $5.00 Oxfords now $3.85 $4.00 Oxfords now $3.15 $3.50 Oxfords now $2.95 ALL SUMMER UNDERWEAR REDUCED, i Six Peachtree Street (Opp. Peters Bldg). “If It's Correct, It’s at Hartman’s" I k J ■ Opium WhitkAy and Drug Rabtt treat- I v-J| Had at Now* or a’. BanlUduni Book o« MMknl Frw. DH. B. M WOOU.KY. 24-N Victor .Sanitarium, Atlanta. Ga. Atlanta's Busiest Theater FORSYTH Today at 2:15, 7:45, 9:15 Vaudeville ViV r ," ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21. 1912. outs, the ones who are game enough to take a chance of handling a "groove" ball with all the stuff the pitcher can put on it. The team on offense has its strategy to offset the defensive side. No hit and run play is ever attempted without the batter and base runner being in per fect accord. If the batter is a right field hitter he knows that the opposing shortstop will doubtless move over for the throw when the runner breaks for second. He gives the opposition credit for enough sense to believe that the second baseman will remain where the ball is likely to be hit. Now, the batter will try to pull or push his grounder through short, the unprotected territory. If the battery happens to cross him with a pitch-out. the batter must always protect the base runner, if possible, by fouling the ball even if he has to throw his bat at It. provided, the runner has not such a break in bis favor as to merit belief that he will be able to steal successfully. CAROLINA ASSOCIATION. Games Today. Greensboro in Greenville. Spartanburg in Charlotte. Anderson in Winston-Salem. Standing of the Clubs. w. 1,, p.c. w L. p.c. A ders’n 60 .38 .612 Sp'b'rg 48 50 .490 W.-S'm 56 4.3 .566 G’sboro 43 53 148 C'rlotte 53 43 .552 G nville S 3 66 .3.33 Yesterday's Results. Greensboro 8. Greenville .3 Winston-Salem 5. Anderson 4. Spartanburg 6. Charlotte 1. VIRGINIA LEAGUE. Games Todjiy. Roanoke in Norfolk. Richmond tn Portsmouth Newport News in Petersburg. Standing of the Clubs. W. L. P.C. I w. L. P.C. P'Sb’rg 68 44 .607 R'hm'd 55 58 .487 R'anoke 54 49 .524 P'sm'th 47 53 .470 Norfolk 56 54 .509 | N. N'ws 43 65 .398 Yesterday's Results. Richmond 2, Portsmouth 1. Newport News 10. Petersbttrg 5. Roanoke 5, Norfolk 4. INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE. Games Today. Baltimore in Rochester. Providence in Montreal. Newark in Buffalo, only games scheduled. Standing of the Clubs. W. L. P C W. L. P C. Roch. .72 45 .615 .1. Citv. 58 62 .483 Toronto 70 50 .583 Buffalo . 53 64 .453 B'more. 61 57 .517 Mntreal 55 68 .447 NWark. 60 60 .500 i P'dence. 48 71 .403 Yesterday's Results. Rochester 10, Baltimore 8 (first game.) Rochester 3. Baltimore 1 (second game.) Newark 13. Buffalo 2 (first game.) Newark 4. Buffalo 1 (second game.) Toronto 6, Jersey City 3. Montreal 7. Providence 3. J. J. Brown is a practical, progressive farmer. Vote for him for commissioner of agriculture. I wear no man’s collar. Vote for me for commis sioner of agriculture. J. J. Brown. FOUND If you lose anything, and will advertise it here, you will surely recover it if found by an honest person A three time ad seldom fails. Remarkable recov eries are brought about every day through this column. MARTIN MAY NT ' 19% PEACHTREE STREET X UPSTAIRS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL UNREDEEMED PLEDGES y FOR SALE A You must not get -the idea that the signal system involves any great com plication of signs. It is simplicity it self. There are just four battery signs —one for a curve ball, one for a fast ball, one for a pitch-out and another for a toss to a baseman to catch a "sleeper.” All the signals the stands ever no tice are those employed by the battery, and they don't get those, for the catcher conceals them always. The. offensive signs are given by manager,, coacher, batter or base runner in such a clever fashion that no <>ne but his team mates are a bit the wise). A player wipes his shirt breast with his knuckles. That may be the sign for a hit and run or any one of half a dozen other plays. The same with scratching his head, ut tering some phrase, squatting in a cer tain position, shifting the hands or feet. The batter taps the plate with his bat a couple of times, puts dust on his hands or draws a line in the dirt. These ac tions may or may not be signals. The clever players are the ones that so mask their signs as to keep the oppo sition always in doubt. Your ‘Bac'k, Aches! YOU FEEL TIRED. Often you experience sharp stinging pains just above ( your kidneys. Do you know what’s causing you all this trouble? GERMS! You can’t see them, they are so small. But they are constantly at work, and unless they are de stroyed, driven entirely out of your system, you will become a physical wreck. Try DR. KING’S Royal Germetuer kneWn as The Germ Destroyer Price SI.OO per bottle Get a bottle at your druggist’s or at E.LLTS-LILL.YBECK DRUG CO. Memphis, jTonn. Our Examination of the eyes is not what is usually termed “testing eyes.” Our examination, with perfect equipment, is absolutely scien tific in every particular and is made without the use of poison ous drops or drugs. Our examination of the eyes is so exact that we absolutely guarantee all of our work. Un less you are completely satisfied we will cheerfully refund your money. You will save your eyes and your money by consulting us first. HINES OPTICAL COMPANY 91 Peachtree St. Between Montgomery and Alcazar Theaters SIO ATLANTA TO PENSACOLA AND RETURN via The WEST POINT ROUTE Tickets on sale every Thursday up to and including August 22, 1912. Return limit ten days. Sleeping cars, dining cars, coaches. Call at Ticket Offices. Fourth Natlona* R ank Bldg, an d Te rm Ina I St all on. SANTAL-MiDY Q Relieves io 24 Hours (U) Catarrh of the Bladder AU Druggists Beuiare oj Counthrfeiti SANTAL-MIDY HOTELS AND RESORTS. Ocean View Hotel Pablo Beach. Florida. After August ’B, Until Close of the Season Will Put On the Following Special Rates .‘U» Desirable Rooms, European Plan. I »ailv rate: SI.OO, one ppraon; $1.50, two peraonH Wf'pklx ratp $5.00, ono person; $8 00, two |h i -ohs I?»wer rate?* hi tw» b*»d rooms for thr*e o! ITlofo priKona. Sporial ratPH In \<»ung Indies’ dormitotA for wArk’Pnd, or \vf«kl> parties wdh < ha por Ext »'ll»*m Cass in ‘onnertion l»an««-* TiH'-drM, Thursday and Saturda THE BASEBALL CARD. SOUTHERN LEAGUE. Games Today. Atlanta in Birmingham. Memphis in Mobile Chattanooga in Montgomery. Nashville in New- Orleans Standing of the Clubs. W. L PC. ' W. L. P.C. B ham. .70 45 .610 I Mont. . .55 59 .482 Mobile .65 51 .560 M’mphis 53 58 377 N. Or. .58 53 523 Nash. . 52 60 .464 C nooga 52 55 .486 j Atlanta .43 67 .391 Yesterday's Results. Birmingham 11. Atlanta 3 Mobile 2. Memphis 0. Montgomery 1. Chattanooga 1. Nashville 2. New Orleans 0. SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE. Games Today. Albany in Columbus. Savannah in Columbia. Macon in Jacksonville. Standing of the Clubs. . w. 1,, p.c I w i,. p.c. S'v'n'h 28 17 .622 | Macon 22 25 468 C'mbus 28 17 .622 Alhanv 17 29 370 J'nville 27 20 .574 I C'mbia 17 31 .354 Yesterday's Results. Savannah 3, Columbia 0. Jacksonville 8. Macon 4 Columbus 4, Albany 2. Western League. Denver 10, Des Moines fl. Topeka-St. Joseph; rain. Wichita 2. Omaha 0. Lincoln 4, Sioux City .3 g TODAY’S PREMIUM | | COUPON | (Printed on page 2) and $2.00 tn cash will purchase this g| 26-Piece Berkshire Silverware Set ' I ■ - JbP? igivl lii ' Iml ■ J/ w W Iftl wB W B .. . The set consists of six Knives, six Forks, six Teaspoons, six Table spoons, a Butter Spreader and a Sugar Shell. The ware is standard make, prettily designed and equal, both as to beauty and utility, to the higher priced silverware. J Atlanta Georgian Premium Room 8 Open Evenings. 20 E. Alabama St. Correct Proverb Solutions Picture No. 33 Picture No. 34 Zmy eropce aRETaTu'S II fl f i have Be6M 1 UoK <TEE I iw me peiWAcf L sTAMOifvti oveß cSlad >’ca free-i jwst)ATe back nov L r 6 Alin tku tuq since ! i no wedpiwg let.evE.NJrM ctN-t U fv< fjOygH broad OAtlicht) k Sells FbR ' TMtv wffie All fflOO RILHNi MXSEcF I C I men ano y»v€ A,x l aecAvje um \ V N. , '-ill "SdfelkEi / TTiC LAiT TO ! v X Le oon' t rosier-' 1 ffl What can the virtues oi uur ancestors profit us, Lean iikrh is better Ilian fat slavery, if we do not imitate iliem AMERICAN LEAGUE. Games Today. Chicago in Philadelphia. St. Louis in New York. Detroit in W ashington. Cleveland in Boston. Standing of the Clubs. „ \V. L. PC. I \v. L. P.C. Boston . .9 35 .693 I Detroit . 55 62 .470 Wash. ..71 44 .619 j C'land. .51 63 .147 Phila. .67 46 .593 ’ N. York 39 73 348 Chicago .57 56 .504 | s. Louis 37 77 .325 Yesterday’s Results. Boston 6, Detroit 2. St. Louis 4. New York 3 (first game. 4 New York 2. St. Louis 1 (second game.) Chicago 6, I’hiktdelphia 1 (first game t Chicago Philadelphia 2 (second garnet WashingtoQ 4. Cleveland 2 (first game 1 Washington 2, Cleveland 0 (second game.) NATIONAL LEAGUE. Games Today. Brooklyn in Pittsburg. Standing of the Clubs. W L. P.4'. , W L P.C N York 77 31 .71.3 C'nati. .53 60 .169 Chicago .73 38 .658 S. Louis 50 63 412 P'burg. .66 43 .606 1 B'klyn . 40 72 .357 Phila . 53 57 .482 ’ Boston . 31 79 .282 Yesterday's Results. New York 5. St. Louis 1 Pittsburg 3, Brooklyn 2 (first game ) Brooklyn 9. Pittsburg 1 (second game.) Cincinnati 4. Boston 0 (first game.) Boston 4. Cincinnati 1 (second game.) Chicago 6, Philadelphia 1 (first game.) Chicago 10. Philadelphia 3 (second game. > AMERICAN ASSOCIATION. Games Today. (’olumbus in St. Paul. Toledo in Minneapolis. Indianapolis in Kansas City. Louisville in Milwaukee. Standing of the Clubs. W. L. P C. I W. L. PC. M'apolis 83 47 .639 ! M'w’kee 61 67 .477 I - bus. . 8.3 18 .634 | S. Paul. 57 77 .426 Toledo. 78 50 .609 L'ville. .49 79 383 K. City. 62 66 .484 I l apolis. 47 86 .353 Yesterday's Results. Milwaukee 2, Louisville 0 (first game.) Milwaukee 7, Louisville 0 (second game) Minneapolis 4, Toledo 3. Columbus 10. St. Paul 5. Kansas City-Indianapolis, wet grounds. APPALACHIAN LEAGUE. Games Today. Asheville in Knoxville. Bristol in Morristown Johnson City in Cleveland. Standing of the Clubs. W. L. P.C. | w. L. P.C. Bristol 49 33 .596 C'vTd 41 41 .500 K xville 45 40 .529 i A'eville 38 48 .442 ’ J. Cit( 42 38 .525 I M'town 34 49 .410 Yesterday’s Results. Bristol 6. Morristown 0. Johnson City 8, Cleveland 5. Asheville 5. Knoxville 3 Texas League. Galveston 3. San Antonio 1. Austin 5. Waco 1. Dallas 4. Fort Worth 3. Houston 1. Beaumont 0 (first game). Houston 6. Beaumont 1 (second game). 7